Traffic marker having gravity switch controlled horn

ABSTRACT

A conical type rubber traffic marker is converted into a bidirectional warning sound amplifier by installation of a horn or horns. A gravity switch is actuatable, in the event of overturn, with the cone of traffic marker serving as a megaphone.

0 United States Patent 51 3,660,8 i7 Abrams 1 Ma 2 1972 TRAFFIC MARKER HAVING GRAVITY [56] References Cited SWITCH CONTROLLED HORN UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] lnventor: Harvey E. Abrams, 56 Drewry Lane, Tap- 3,488,651 1/1970 Brenner ..340/283 pan, NY. 10983 Primary E.\'aminerHarold I. Pitts 2 7 [22] Filed Dec 2 0 A!torneyAuslander&Thomas 1006 Y App] 30 57 ABSTRACT [52] U5. CL "340/114, 340/283 A conical type rubber traffic marker is converted into a [5 [1 Int Cl 5/36, 60% 5/38 bidirectional warning sound amplifier by installation ofa horn 58 Field of Search ..340/l 14, 283 horns- A gravity Switch is tumble, in the event of overturn, with the cone oftraffic marker serving as a megaphone.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMY 2 I972 FIG. 2

FIG.3

TRAFFIC MARKER HAVING GRAVITY SWITCH CONTROLLED HORN The present invention relates to a traffic safety device, in particular, a safety device useable with, or integral to rubber cone traffic safety markers.

Conical safety markers are used for their convenience and ease of distribution when it is desired to redirect or control traffic.

The safety markers are also extensively used to divert lanes of trafiic where work is being done in the proximity of moving traffic. Where the safety markers are used to divert trafiic to protect workers, there has been no safety factor to protect those people working. An automobile out of control or not observing the road properly could overturn a marker and drive on to injure an unaware worker.

According to the present invention, a safety warning device is provided with an alarm system which provides a bidirectional signal if the safety marker is overturned.

Although such novel feature or features believed to be characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the claims, the invention and the manner in which it may be carried out may be further understood by reference to the description following and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a broken away front elevation of a safety marker and warning device of the present invention.

FIG. 1a is another embodiment of the safety marker and warning device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the circuitry of the form of warning device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an alternate schematic of the circuitry of the warning device of the present invention.

Referring now to the figures in greater detail, where like reference numbers denote like parts in the various figures.

While reference herein is being made to conical safety markers, all reference herein to such conical traffic safety markers applies with equal effect to pyrimidal or funnel-like devices utilized in the same way.

In FIG. 1 a conical safety marker is shown with an attached warning device 11.

The warning device 11 comprises a cone 12 or funnel with an attached signaling device 13 and attaching means, in this instance clips 14 to hold the cone l2 and signal device 13 attached to a conical safety markerlfl. In FIG. 1, the clips 14 and signal device 13 are held by pins 15 which join them to the cone 12. The signal device 13 is held between the clips 14 so that it will not fall away from the cone 12 on safety marker 10 and maintain a double funnel shape.

In FIG. 1a the small cone 16 is made integral to the signal marker 10. The signal device 13 is held in the neck constriction 17.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one form of signal device 13. There is a general on and off switch 18 to deactivate or activate the circuit with a battery 19 serving as an energy means and two horns 20 as can be seen in FIG. 1. A gravity switch 21, which activates the horn 20 when the traffic safety marker is off plumb, is in series with the entire circuit. As illustrated in the figures, a mercury switch is employed.

FIG. 3 represents the same circuitry with the exception that a signal horn is in the circuit and able to issue a bidirectional sound when actuated.

In use, a safety marker 10 with the warning device ll'or the safety marker 10 with its signal device 13 and switch 18 closed, and integral cone 16 in placed at a point where it is designed to divert trafiic and protect personnel.

In the event that a safety marker 10 is overturned, especially by a vehicle not being operated properly, the gravity switch 21, as illustrated by the mercury switch 18 is closed. The mercury moves by gravity to completea circuit which sets off the horn 20 or horn 22.

The bidirectional horns 20, 22 sound through the conical base of the safety marker 10 and also through the cones 12,

The conical shapes act as amplifiers. The fact that the sound issues forth in more than one direction and is amplified is an additional safety feature since the sound is more likely to be pointed in the direction of the people to be warned. The conical amplification further makes the sound sufiiciently loud to be heard a great distance irrespective of direction and assuch, further serves as a warning safety feature to alert those in danger or potential danger.

The horn 22 may rest in the narrow constriction of the conical safety marker 10, having its circuitry in different configuration in the conical safety marker 10, than shown in the drawings, as long as the gravity switch 21 is in proper position. The same is true with regard to the conical marker 10 and small cone 16 as shown in FIG. la.

The two born 20 configuration has the same flexibility.

The switch 18 is a convenience to quiet the accidental blast of the horn when the conical safety markers 16 are not in use or being transported.

The terms and expressions which are employed are used as terms of description; it is recognized, though, that various modifications are possible.

Having thus described certain forms of the invention in some detail, what is claimed is:

1. A traffic safety marker safety device comprising horn means, said horn means adapted to sound in more than one direction, said horn means in a circuit, said circuit including energy means; and switch means; said switch means adapted to actuate said horn in said circuit when said switch means are off normal plumb, and said safety device adapted to be installed in a traffic safety marker having at least a funnel-like base opening.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said horn means are installed in a funnel, said funnel joinable with said traffic safety marker.

3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said funnel included attaching means adapted to attach said funnel to said traffic safety marker.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said attaching means is a clip.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said traffic safety marker has a double funnel configuration.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said switch means is a mercury switch.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said circuit includes a deactivating switch.

8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said horn means in cludes more than one horn. 

1. A traffic safety marker safety device comprising horn means, said horn means adapted to sound in more than one direction, said horn means in a circuit, said circuit including energy means; and switch means; said switch means adapted to actuate said horn in said circuit when said switch means are off normal plumb, and said safety device adapted to be installed in a traffic safety marker having at least a funnel-like base opening.
 2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said horn means are installed in a funnel, said funnel joinable with said traffic safety marker.
 3. The invention of claim 2 wherein said funnel included attaching means adapted to attach said funnel to said traffic safety marker.
 4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said attaching means is a clip.
 5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said traffic safety marker has a double funnel configuration.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said switch means is a mercury switch.
 7. The invention of claim 1 wherein said circuit includes a deactivating switch.
 8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said horn means includes more than one horn. 